INTRODUCTION TO

IT
CHAPTER 1
 COMPUTER
• A computer is a programmable machine that accepts input data, store it and
then ‘process’ it by performing arithmetical and logical operations and
produce useful output through an output unit.
• Computers take input in the form of data, store, perform some processing
and output it as information.
• Data is raw fats
• Information is processed data
• Computer = software+ hardware
 COMPUTER HARDWARE
• Hardware is the physical components of the computer
• Components that can be physically handled.
• TYPES OF COMPUTER HARDWARE
Internal Hardware
External Hardware
 INTERNAL HARDWARE
• Examples
• Motherboard
• Processor /CPU
• Hard disk drive
• RAM
• CD ROM drive
• Fan
 EXTERNAL HARDWARE
• Examples
• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Speakers
• Mouse
• Ports
 SOFTWARE
• Software consists of a set of programs or instructions that control the
operations of the computer.
• There are two main types of software:
• System software and;
• Application software
 SYSTEM SOFTWARE
• Systems Software ß Programs that coordinate the activities and functions
of the computer.
• There are two types of system software:
• Operating System
• Utility programs
 OPERATING SYSTEM
• The operating system runs the computer system
• Examples of OS
• Versions of Windows (Windows 95, Windows NT , Windows 2000 , Windows XP,
7, 8, 10 )
• UNIX
• Linux
• Macintosh operating system
• Java operating system
 TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM
• Single User: the simplest type of operating system which accommodates
only one user at time and can only run one program at a time (single
tasking).e.g. Windows 98 and Windows 95.
• Multi-user: they allow several users to access the same data at the same
time and most of the time they are networked .e.g. Windows 2000
Professional and Windows XP Professional
 FUNCTIONS OF OS
• Process Management: It handles the creation, deletion, suspension,
resumption, and synchronization of process.
• Memory Management: It handles allocation and de-allocation of
memory space as required by various programs.
• File Management: It is responsible for creation and deletion of files and
directories. It also organizes, stores, retrieves, names, and protects all the
files.
 FUNCTIONS OF OS CONT’D
• Device Management: It manages all the devices of the computer system
such as printers and modems. If any device fails, it detects the device
failure and notifies the same to the user.
• Security Management: Protects system resources and information
against destruction and unauthorized use.
• User interface: Provides the interface between the user and the hardware.
 UTILITY PROGRAMS
• They are used to carry out routine tasks that are often needed by a user
such as:
• File compression: compressing a file to save space on backing storage
(e.g. convert a MS Word to pdf file)
• Registry cleaners: checking a disk for faults and repairing them;
• Disk defragmentation (defragging): defragmenting a disk drive;
 UTILITY PROGRAMS CONT’D
• Disk recovery: recovering data from damaged file;
• Formatting any storage device
• Backing up data.
• Anti-Virus: detects and delete/quarantine the computer viruses
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Application software is the software that is used to carry out the functioning of
the computer, and is used to do the things the computer is designed to do.
• Examples:
• Word processor: A word processor is software used to compose, format, edit,
and print electronic documents . Examples: Microsoft Word and Word Perfect.
• Spreadsheet software are used predominantly for financial and mathematical
calculations. Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 are examples of spreadsheet applications.
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE CONT’D
• Editors: Image editor programs are designed specifically for capturing,
creating, editing, and manipulating images. Examples of these programs are
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw.
• Database management systems: Database management software is a
collection of computer programs that allow storage, modification, and
extraction of information. Dbase, FoxPro and Oracle.
• Presentation software allows the user to create presentations by producing
slides or handouts for presentation of projects. Microsoft PowerPoint is one of
the most famous presentation applications
TYPES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Custom/Tailor made: This is a program or programs developed that a user request
to perform specific functions.
• General purpose: Software that people use to perform general tasks. Some groups
of general purpose software are: Word processing packages, Electronic Spreadsheets,
Database management packages, Communication packages and Graphics packages.
• Integrated: Consists of a collection of application package which share a common
set of commands designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of users. Sometimes it
is called off the shelf software and can be purchased from computer vendors or the
internet. MS Works is an example of integrated software.
 TYPES OF COMPUTERS
• Personal computers
• Palm top
• Workstation
• Mainframe
• Servers
• Supercomputers
 PERSONAL COMPUTERS
• Personal Computers: also called microcomputers, are the most popular
type of computer in use today. The PC is a small-sized, relatively
inexpensive computer designed for an individual user.
• Personal computers are in two (2) major categories:
• desktop
• and laptop.
 LAPTOPS & DESKTOP
• Laptop: Laptops can also be called notebook computers. They are an
extremely lightweight personal computer i.e. , they are designed to be
portable. Notebook computers come with battery packs that enable you to
run them without plugging them in
• Desktop: usually refers to a computer that is placed on a permanent
location (on a desk ). Used use personal computers either at school, at
home or at business
 PALM/PALMTOP/PDAs
• Hand-held personal computer,
• Lightweight, small, battery-powered, general-purpose
programmable computer .
• Uses a touchscreen for input and output
 WORKSTATION
• These are powerful and single-user computers.
• Good storage capacity
• Good communication capabilities
• Linked together to form a computer network called a local area network
 MAINFRAMES
• Large-sized, powerful computers
• Support concurrent programs.
• High storage capacity
• Support many users simultaneously
• Execute large-scale processes such as processing the organization’s
payroll
• For example the network support for Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).
 SERVERS
• Server: Provide services to multiple users over a network. A server runs a network of
computers. It handles the sharing of equipment like printers and the communication between
computers on the network. Has a larger memory, larger storage capacity, and high speed
communications.
• There are many different types of servers:
• File server: device dedicated to storing files. Any user on the network can store files on the
server.
• Print server: a computer that manages one or more printers, and a network server is a
computer that manages network traffic.
• Database server: a computer system that processes database queries.
 SUPERCOMPUTERS
• Supercomputers are extremely powerful, fast computers
• Used for large-scale scientific calculations such as those found in quantum
physics, weather forecasting, climate research, gas
• Require immense amount of mathematical calculations (number
crunching). For example, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy
research, electronic design, and analysis of geological data (e.g. in
petrochemical prospecting).